MAC Lipcreme in 'Good To Go'

I've not heard much about the MAC Prolongwear Lipsticks but today I thought I'd share a shade that I've been loving over the past few weeks. This was actually one of those 'accidental discoveries.' On a recent night out a work colleague pulled out this shade and said it would look perfect with the dress I was wearing -she was right! After wearing this for the night I was pretty much sold on the shade and formula. When MAC says long wear they mean it, this lipstick survived mojitios, burritos and it's by far one of the most long wearing lipsticks in my collection.

The shade I have is 'Good To Go' in the bullet this appears quite scary, but as with most lipsticks it can be built up for a more dramatic look, or blotted down like my pictures above for a slightly peachy looking finish. I personally find that this blotted down is a little more wearable especially for someone like me who's just dipping their toe into orange lipsticks this shade seems like a great place to start. As I mention above the wear time is pretty amazing, this sticks around for a long time and eventually dries down to a stain. The formula is pretty moisturising although it does have a tendency to cling to dry patches -a decent lip balm and scrub before hand are essential.

Have you tried MAC Prolongwear Lipcremes? What are your favourite orange lipsticks? I'm looking for something slight more orange toned…I think 'Morange' may be my next purchase.

5 Skincare Tips

Skincare has always been rather important to me, it's an awful thing to say but as a society we pretty much judge on face value and more often than not your face is pretty much the first thing someone will notice about you. When I have breakouts, spots or bad scaring it really knocks my confidence, it shouldn't as let's face it who really cares what others think but it has always got me pretty down. However over the years I've tried my fair share of products/lifestyle changes and although this may run the risk of sounding big headed I think I've pretty much reached a point where I'm happy with my overall skin condition. Yes, I still have flaws (a little patch of eczema under my skin and pigmentation) but I feel much happier with my skin and I finally feel like reoccurring spots are under control. Here are a few tips that I really wish I'd listened to or taken on board sooner-

1. Oily Skin Doesn't Need More Hydration
Wrong. I'll be honest I've read so many articles that claim oily skin needs cleansing three times a day, only use products with Salicylic acid, use light/gel moisturisers. Now I'm not saying run out and buy the thickest cream you can find but talking from experience the best thing I ever did for my oily skin was add in hydrating products. Salicylic acid stripped my skin which in return made it more oily, cleansing my skin more than twice a day also stripped my skin which again created more oil. More often than not oily skin is often dehydrated, this may not always be the case but if you feel like you've tried every product aimed at 'oily skin' and haven't had any luck this could be where you're going wrong. Incorporating hydrating masks, facial oils and creamy cleansers has to be one of the best choice I ever made in terms of skincare.

2. Water and Diet Are More Important
Listen ladies (and gents) you can spend a whole load of money on skincare but if your diet is poor, and your daily water intake is non existent you really won't notice a difference. I've always been rather sceptical on the whole water intake stuff, but after religiously drinking two litres daily I must say my skin has improved drastically. Everything just looks clearer, brighter and more radiant so much so that I haven't found the need to wear a base product in weeks. Diet is something I'm still working on, although there are no links between fatty foods and spots I must say my skin always looks a little more congested after a diet of Domino's Pizza and cookies (no shame we've all been there.) Upping the fruit intake and cutting out sugar/greasy foods can make the biggest difference to the skin.

3. Consistency
Skincare and consistency in the same sentence who am I. For years I chopped and changed my skincare I convinced myself that if I used a product or brand for a long time my skin would become used to it and in return the product would become ineffective. What utter crap! I complained so much about never noticing a difference in my skin but truth be told I probably wasn't even giving the products a chance to truly work. Once you find a cleanser, toner and moisturiser that work with your skin stick with it, I did and I must say my skin reaped the rewards. It loves consistency, if your skin is more on the sensitive side this will definitely help too. Changing your serum/treatments still adds a little excitement/something new to try in your skincare. But, I noticed not changing the basics improved my skin so much.

4. Don't Follow the Crowd
My purchases are often swayed by my favourite bloggers. When a product pops up in someones favourites, or reaches HG territory you can't help but get that twitchy feeling to purchase and try. Here's the thing though everyone's skin is different. Before buying that new skincare product that's received a lot of hype ask yourself, does the blogger have a similar skin type to me? Have I tried a product similar before? Have I tried any other skincare recommendations by this blogger? If the blogger doesn't have a similar skin type, save your pennies. If you've tried something similar that hasn't worked, save your pennies. If you haven't tried/liked previous recommendations why try this one? After reading all the hype surrounding the Emma Hardie cleansing balm I convinced myself it was going to be my skincare hero. I read countless reviews from bloggers who had dry skin types (mine isn't) I had tried previous oil/balm textured products that hadn't worked for me yet I still convinced myself to go ahead and purchase (I didn't like it.) Listen to your gut feeling as after all only YOU truly know your skin and what works well.

5. Keep It Simple & Don't Pile On The Products
The less is more approach to skincare is something I've adopted over recent months. I've cut treatments back to once a week and limited the amount of face masks I use (one every two weeks.) My skin has loved this simple approach. I cleanse, tone and moisturise daily but without the added layers my skin seems to be a lot less congested. When you do have breakouts or pigmentation the obvious approach can often be to pile on the products however I've found skipping on the foundation/concealer has done my skin the world of good. Although it will sound cheesy I also feel like my confidence has grown so much. I can skip makeup all together and still feel confident, which is something I've wanted to be able to do for years.

Finding skincare that works for you takes time, effort, research and quite often money. When shopping for skincare always listen to your gut instinct, read countless reviews and remember that expensive isn't always best.

Do you have any skincare tips that you wish you'd known sooner? Have you tried any tips above?

P.S Here is my make up free selfie, by sticking to a routine and following my tips above I've finally reached a point where I'm happy with my skin maintaining it will be the hard part! 

Topic 13: My Summer Bucket List

For Topic 13 of the #2014BloggerChallenge we were asked to put together a summer bucket list, this isn't something I've done before but I quite like the idea of having mini personal goals for over Summer- 

1. Read 10 Books
I love reading, I truly have always been a bookworm at heart. Lately though not so much, I find myself making excuses too tired, no time etc etc but then when I actually sit down with a good book I can read for hours. So this summer I'm stopping with the excuses and getting back into reading. Ten books seems like a realistic goal.

2. Pass Driving Test 
Driving isn't a skill that's come easy to me (my fearful driving instructor would quite happily agree.) Although I've had lessons longer than most people I have to admit for me it's been more of a confidence issue. However my test is booked, I'd love to pass by the end of Summer. Keep your fingers, arms, legs, toes, feet, eyes (basically everything) crossed for me! 

3. Learn a New Skill
So I could say learn Japanese or learn how to contour but lets be realistic they'll both take a lifetime. Over the summer I'd really like to get into D.I.Y, specifically beauty products. I really want to have a go at making my own body butter. 

4. Introduce Some Healthy Snacks

I say I'll do this every year (and fail) but equipped with my new blender I'd love to whip up more smoothies, prepare more fruit salads and get a little creative with some healthy snack alternatives. 

5. Say Yes 

I'm a no person, I'll quite happily agree to something and talk myself out of it all within a split second. Through the summer I want to learn to just say yes more, yes to after work drinks, yes to summer BBQ's/ wedding invites. It'll be a tricky one but something I am keen to try.

6. Get back on my bike 
I write this one half hearted. Last summer time me Vs bike didn't end too well (read I flew off it and almost got hit by a tram, oh and I had swollen face for weeks.) I'm accident prone and a little clumsy anyway but when you add a bike into the equation bad thing's are sure to happen. After nursing many a bruise/cut last summer I finally think I'm ready to get back on my bike and take on those famous Sheffield hills. And what better time with the start of Tour de France -pedal power!

7. Book On a Day Photography Course 

There are tons of discount photography courses I've noticed on Amazon/Groupon in my local area. Outside of the blog I really enjoy photography I would love to develop and learn a little more about my camera.

8. De Clutter 
This one is well over due and although it may seem like a bit of a boring one for the bucket list we all know the saying cluttered room cluttered mind. I really want to clear off my desk space so I can spend more time typing posts there, as my back seems to have gotten severely worse since blogging…or perhaps it's the bag… 

9. Go to the zoo 
Such a small thing but I keep saying I want a day at the zoo, and god help me this summer I'll get my day in the zoo. I'll be honest I love the Zoo, I love seeing all the animals. I know I sound five but there's just something about the a day out at the zoo it makes me happy….the small thing's ey. 

10. Enjoy France!

I go on holiday this month (woo) and this year I want to enjoy it to the fullest. No stress (easier said than done.) 

What's on your Summer bucket list? 

Bee Good 2-In-1 Cream Cleanser*

Pardon the pun, but over recent months Bee Good seems to have created quite a buzz within the beauty community. After researching the brand, reading countless reviews I made my Bee Good wish list. I was very fortunate at the beginning of June to be contacted with an opportunity to try the Bee Good cream cleanser* and since then I've very much fallen in love with the brand. I'm a huge supporter of British brands who locally source ingredients for products and have strong ethos. Bee Good seems like a transparent brand, what you see is what you get. This Hampshire based skin care company started in 2008 at the kitchen table of Simon and Caroline (husband & wife.)  With Simon's experience as a beekeeper, and Caroline's interest in honey and beeswax, the brand Bee Good was launched. All of the Bee Good skincare line uses British honey (known for it's antibacterial and moisturising properties.) Propolis (skin protecting/healing properties) and Beeswax (a natural emollient that reduces water loss.) Bee Good are firm believers in ethically sourced ingredients from British Beekeepers and even donate a percentage of all profits to the British Bee keeping Association. As a brand they are pretty much squeaky clean all products contain no parabens, silicones or sysntheic colours. Oh, and no animal testing (whahey!) 

Priced at £11.50 for 100ml, this creamy cleanser won't break the old bank balance, the price point is actually a little cheaper compared to other cream cleansers on the market. The packaging is just beautiful yet simple, with mini Bees and Union Jack flag it's very much a true representation of the brand. The cream cleanser is housed in a squeezy tube, I know the majority of people would probably prefer a pump but I personally prefer a tube. I find this way I can see how much product I have left and can easily reach any last scraps (you can cut the tube and get more uses from it!) 

Having sensitive combination skin that's oily but sometimes very dry I do struggle to find skin care products that truly work for me. Over the years though I've found that cream cleansers work best with my skin type. The Bee Good cream cleanser has slowly become a firm favourite of mine and I just know it will be a staple in my skin care routine for months to come (I like to stick with skincare products that work!) This smells truly divine, this has a similar scent to the Nuxe balm (if you've ever smelled that.) I do find the smell super uplifting on tired mornings. Instructions say to apply this to dry skin, although I've found if my hands/face are a little damp I can work the product in a little better. Massaged in and removed with the muslin cloth (this is included with the product) my skin looks a little brighter and feels thoroughly cleansed. I alternate between muslin cloth and my good old Primark flannels. 

I find that this cleanser is effective at removing any last scraps of makeup, but to remove the main bulk I would recommend using another cleanser/micellar water as I didn't find this removed makeup very well on it's own (especially eye makeup.) I always recommend double cleansing anyway to thoroughly remove makeup so this wasn't a problem for me. After cleansing my skin feels softer and super hydrated. If you have combination/dry skin you'll find this cleanser super moisturising, it manages to be moisturising but doesn't leave any residue on the skin. If your skin is leaning more towards the oily side you may find this cleanser a little too rich, although it may still be worth a try as quite often oily skin is also dehydrated and adding hydrating products can do it the world of good (that's what I discovered!) 

So, yes I think this ones a keeper (bee keeper) I'm already getting a little low and I always know how much I enjoy a product because the worry sets in. I will definitely be buying this cleanser once this one runs out as I've enjoyed using this and my skin seems to love it.

Have you tried any products by Bee Good? I'm thinking of ordering their Cleansing water anyone tried it? 

*PR Sample